waltsa200 (September 28, 2008 at 5:25 am)

Swede died in the hospital about 1 month after the crash.. and I know Jesus, we hang out together alot!

epiphonelespual2 (September 27, 2008 at 6:33 pm)

swede died on the track, i know his great nephew, matt, but is this nascar or not!?!

gcmc2 (September 22, 2008 at 2:30 pm)

Yes Napo, he was a real racer. And right too about the crew member. It was a crew member from Swede's team mate, 1973 Indy rookie of the year, New Zealander Graham McCrae - another real racer by the way. He was the constructor of MCrae race cars ( mostly Formula 5000s ) and a very successful driver. He was 1972 US Formula 5000 ( or formula A ) champion. Also I think 3 times Tasman ( pacific Aus NZ championship ) and three time winner of Aust. GP He's about to race in the F5000 series here

waltsa200 (September 18, 2008 at 6:34 pm)

Deemilieu, I am confused with your confusion! What 3 drivers died that year?? Swede Savage NEVER died the next day. Where do you get your info???

waltsa200 (September 2, 2008 at 5:08 pm)

deemilieu, Swede never died the next day....

timvang666 (August 30, 2008 at 6:50 pm)

R.I.P. STP 1973

deemilieu (August 28, 2008 at 3:46 am)

go back and look at the speeds they were running that year. they were way too fast for the tires and track... after three drivers died that year they placed new limits on the cars to bring the speeds down. and they increased the banking angle on the turns, but maybe that was a few years later. does anyone remeber the stp turbine cars? several drivers were hurt bad and killed in them too in the late 60's. the cars were just too fast for the other technology in place.

deemilieu (August 28, 2008 at 3:35 am)

i don't recal the hepetitis thing...maybe i should research it. anyway, i was a kid then and assumed the fire did him in. i had been there with my dad when salt walther crashed, and then it rained and they canceled the race. so we left for home and didn't, fortunately, stay for this tragedy.

deemilieu (August 28, 2008 at 3:20 am)

there was big a photo carried by the 'daily news' in new york - of swede on a stretcher being carried away. and i remember he's terribly hurt but conscious and there's this wild, confused look in his eyes. he passed away the next day i think. alcohol burns clear - you really can't see the flames well. he was horribly burned over most of his body.

IrishPunisher (August 7, 2008 at 4:18 pm)

For anyone who hasn't read Rapid Response, Swede Savage died after contracting Hepatitus via a blood transfusion during treatment for this accident. The hep is what caused the liver failure.